here it is, the last chapter! enjoy! also thank you to all of you who reviewed so far, i really appreciate it all c': (i also wrote a mileven one shot, constellations, feel free to check it out if you're interested!)


CHAPTER THREE: oh...so THAT'S him (alternatively titled: rip mike wheeler)

Dustin calmly makes his way to the front door of the Wheeler house, knocking on the door politely before hearing the familiar "Coming!" from Karen Wheeler. She opens the door, smiling warmly at him as she greets him.

"Hello, Dustin," She closes the door as he steps in before going back to picking Holly's scattered toys up from the living room. "Mike didn't say you were coming over! If he did, I would've made you a batch of sugar cookies to take home, since I know how much you like them."

Ah, Mrs. Wheeler's sugar cookies. One of the greatest and most sought after treasures known to man. Despite his stomach growling at the thought, he's determined to find Mike. The sugar cookies can wait for now. He almost sheds a tear, but knows he has to be strong. I'll come back for you one day, my sweets. "It's okay, Mrs. Wheeler, thanks," He walks over and picks up one of Holly's dolls, passing it to her with a smile. "I was just going by before I just remembered that I wanted to ask Mike about the homework today."

"Thank you, Dustin," She takes the doll gratefully, putting the toys in the toy box. "He's upstairs, in his room."

He nods, quickly making his way upstairs. When he gets to Mike's door, he doesn't even bother knocking, because he knows Mike won't open the door for anyone, not while he's in one of these moods. Just as he thinks, Mike is laying on his bed, dark blue bed sheets wrapped around him tightly. Man, he's got it bad for her. Walking over to the bed, he takes in a deep breath, before bellowing out a loud, "Mike!"

"Gaaahhh!" The noise scares him into sitting upright, and Mike glares at him, unhappy about the unnecessary way to get his attention. "Dustin!? What the heck was that for? Couldn't you just have... I don't know, tapped me on the shoulder? Anything other than that!?"

"Hm," Dustin pretends to contemplate this for a moment, before he shakes his head. "Nah, my way's more exciting. Besides, I couldn't get sugar cookies because of you, so consider that revenge."

"What?"

"Tell me what's wrong, Wheeler," Mike frowns. When Dustin calls him by his last name, he means business. Still, he doesn't say anything, instead averting his eyes and ignoring him. "I'm not going to leave until we solve this. The sooner we do, I can go home and take a nap." At Mike's stubborn silence, Dustin plops down onto the carpeted floor.

"...This is my house."

"So?"

"I could just tell my mom to tell you to leave."

Dustin smiles. "You won't."

"What makes you so sure about that?"

"Because I'll tell Mrs. Wheeler that you're upset because something happened at school today."

Mike's eyes widen. "You wouldn't." Karen is a great mom, don't get him wrong, but when it comes to things like this, she can be... persistent. Really persistent. When something is making one of her children upset, Karen Wheeler does not rest until she finds out what it is and find out how she can fix it. He loves his mom for how much she cares about him, really, but he didn't want to tell her that he was upset because Eleven met some boy and he's jeal- I'm not jealous.

"Oh, I would."

"Fine!" He groans and runs his fingers through his dark locks. "It was... something at school today."

"Elaborate."

"...At lunch," Mike flinches, as if he's revealed too much.

Something at school today, at lunch? Dustin furrows his brows in thought, thinking back to their day at school. What happened at lunch that could've made him upset...? He remembers Mike acting weird while they were talking at lunch. He always tried to interrupt us whenever we talked about- Oh. Ohhhhh. Hm, lemme make sure... "Fine, Mike," He says, getting up from his spot on the floor, and adjusting his cap before sighing exaggeratedly. "If you don't want to talk about it, I guess I shouldn't make you talk about it." Mike is confused. Dustin usually didn't give up this easily. "I guess I'll just go over to Will's place. Russell's supposed to be over there soon-"

"He's..." Mike's voice is small. "He's gonna be at Will's house?"

Bingo. "Yeah, I'm excited to meet him. Will told me he's really nice, and-"

"Russell this, Russell that," He growls with frustration and Dustin holds back a smile after proving his theory correct. Aha! "It's all I've been hearing from everybody! Joyce said they're a match made in heaven, Nancy says Eleven's lucky, you guys think he's awesome and Eleven..." He sighs, his voice now quiet and dejected. "Eleven's so...so happy and excited to be his friend. I get it, he's perfect and way better than me and of course El would prefer someone like him over me, someone everyone likes-"

"What," Dustin deadpans, because really, what is he going on about?

"Just, leave me alone, Dustin," He sighs, staring out of his window sadly. "Go and hang out with Russell."

It hits him then, and Dustin just stares at him, really stares at him because sometimes, he really feels like he's the only one with some sense around here. Am I in a movie? I have to be in a movie. It felt like I was in a sci-fi movie when the whole thing with the Demogorgon happened, and now it feels like I'm in a teenage drama. "Mike you're my friend and all but...you're a real knucklehead sometimes, y'know that?" He sighs and takes Mike's hand, dragging him downstairs.

"Hey! Dustin! Hey, lemme go! What're you even doing-"

"Just shut up and come with me. I'm gonna solve your little jealousy problem right now. Geez, why does nobody around here know how to communicate and talk to people about how they're feeling instead of making stupid decisions," He shakes his head (does he really have to do everything around here?) "Since you won't listen, I'll just have to show you."

"I'm- I'm not jealous!" Dustin scoffs and rolls his eyes, because the way Mike's voice cracked mid-sentence said it all. "If she wants to spend more time with that Russell guy than me she can! I don't...I don't have a problem with it," Sometimes, Mike has moments in which he's very good at lying. This isn't one of them. "And what do you mean show me-"

"Shhh. Get your bike. We're going to Will's house," He stops momentarily, turning back to shout, "Mrs. Wheeler! Mike wants to know if he can go to Will's house to see Russell!"

She pokes her head out of the kitchen. "Oh? He's going over there today? Joyce told me about how much of a sweetheart he is," Great! Now my mom is talking about him! Mike really just wants to go back to bed and be all moody and upset. "Sure, honey. Don't be late for dinner. Say hello to the Byers for me!" Karen goes back into the kitchen before Mike can protest, and Dustin brings his bike over to him as soon as they get outside.

"B-but-"

"We're going."

-x-

Will opens the door and is greeted by the sight of Dustin forcefully pulling Mike onto the porch of his house. Mike is struggling, trying to break his out of Dustin's tight grip.

"I'm not going in there!"

"You're coming in!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!" The two haven't noticed Will yet, and he just stares, wondering if he should intervene or not. Dustin did say that he was bringing Mike over so that 'he could stop being ridiculous and angry for no reason'. "You're coming in or I swear-"

"Um," They both stop and turn to Will, who looks very confused. "Hey, guys. You... doing okay there...?" (honestly he should be used to his friends and their odd behavior, especially when Dustin is involved).

Dustin nods his head, smiling placidly. "Oh hey Will," Mike mutters a greeting, and Will steps aside and Dustin brings him into the house. "Hey, Lucas."

"About time you guys got here," Lucas grumbles from his place on the couch. "They should be here any minute now."

Before Mike can ask him what he means (he'd like to get some answers as to what exactly was going on), the front door opens, and Dustin watches from the couch as Mike sends him a questioning glace when Joyce comes in through the door.

"Oh! Mike!" She follows his stare and waves at Dustin. "Dustin, Lucas! I didn't know you three were coming over!" Jonathan comes in next, bringing in a bunch of plastic bags. "Jonathan, you can set them down in the kitchen, we'll set everything up later."

Will walks up to his mom excitedly. "Where is he? Is he coming?" Joyce gives her son a hug and laughs.

"He's coming in with Eleven, sweetheart. Can you help Jonathan with the bags in the kitchen?"

Mike frowns, getting a bad feeling. "What? Who's coming?"

"Didn't you hear me talk about it at lunch today?" Will asks, and Mike has to resist the urge to shake his head. He remembers trying to shut out whatever his friends were talking about because it had to do with... Oh no. "Remember? Russell's coming over!" A wave of anxiety overcomes him at those last three words. Mike tries to make his way over to the door again, but Lucas and Dustin block his way out, and he sighs, heading back to where he was.

Then, Eleven walks in slowly, holding something wrapped in a fluffy white towel. "Careful... careful... Be gentle..." She mutters to herself, taking small steps inside as Will walks behind her and closes the door. Mike, however, is confused. Russell hasn't come in yet, why did he close the door? She's looking down at the tiny bundle in her arms, smiling, and why is she always so pretty when she smiles-

"Hi, Eleven," He mumbles, a little flustered. Eleven looks up at him, surprised, but looks back down quickly when the thing she was holding... moved?

She greets him warmly. "Hi, Mike."

"What's... what's that? That you're holding there?" He's not exactly prepared for the answer she gives him, but when it comes, it's felt like someone's punched him in the face, and everything's everyone's been saying for the last few weeks suddenly make sense (also he can totally feel Dustin's gaze on him and it's not helping the whole feeling really stupid thing).

"Russell," She says, eyes soft with adoration as the puppy peers at him with beady black eyes. Wait-

"What," Mike deadpans, much like Dustin did earlier.

Dustin gets up from where he's seated at the couch, and approaches, smiling at the pup. "Hi, Russell," Mike flinches at the emphasis as Dustin gives the puppy a pat on the head. He turns to Mike, his expression mischievous, and Mike braces himself. "Mike, this is Russell, the 'new friend' Joyce got for Eleven. Isn't he adorable?"

"He's pretty cute," Lucas agrees, reaching out to pet him as well.

Russell's licking Eleven's face now and she laughs, moving to sit down on the couch. The first time he'd licked her hand she was startled, but Joyce had told her that this is his way of giving kisses.

"Wait, Mike didn't know about him?" Will asks, and Mike sort of really just wants to go home and forget all of this ever happened. "Really? But, mom and I told everyone!" Yup, he's screaming internally again.

And of course, Mr. I-want-revenge-for-my-sugar-cookies has to speak. "Oh, Mike knows about him alright," Dustin mutters, conveniently loud enough for just Mike to hear.

Mike stares at Eleven and the brown ball of fur on her lap, half listening to what Will is telling him. Apparently, Mrs. Lyons' dog just recently had a litter of puppies, and she's decided to keep two out of the five, trying to find forever homes for the rest. Joyce'd thought it would be great idea to adopt one for Eleven, especially since they'd lost their previous dog, Rex earlier that year. Now everything really makes sense... Dustin was right, I am a knucklehead.

"Will, Mike thought Russell was another boy and..." He lowers his voice to a murmur, and Mike can only imagine what he's saying to them. Nothing good, probably.

"Wait, seriously?" Will exclaims. "Is that why he's been acting weird?"

"Oh my god," Lucas is laughing now and Mike knows he's never going to let him live this down. "I just... I can't believe..." He wipes an imaginary tear near his eye, an arm around his torso as he continues to laugh loudly. "I'm never gonna let him live this down." See?

He blocks out the rest as Eleven looks up at him, and pats the spot next to her, gesturing for him to sit. He walks over slowly, peering at Russel, who's snuggled in her arms (who's cuter, the puppy or the girl holding him? Definitely the latter, in his opinion).

"Pond?" Eleven asks Jonathan, pointing at the small puppy in her lap.

He shakes his head. "Not yet, it'll be a bit too much to handle, especially since he's in a brand new place," Eleven frowns, and he quickly adds, "But he will be, soon. We'll be teaching him a lot of things while he's growing up. Especially you, as his new owner."

Owner... She's not sure she likes that word, and Eleven quickly decides that she doesn't want to be Russell's 'owner'. "Not his owner... his friend," She doesn't like the idea of 'owning' him, and tries to push away memories of the Bad Man and the lab from her mind that attempt to resurface. But she's excited, excited to teach him things, just like everyone else has been teaching her. She makes a quiet promise to teach him everything she knows, and feels her heart swell when he nuzzles her hand. "Good boy," She murmurs, as she's seen Joyce and Mrs. Lyons do before. Russell yips back at her in response, and she giggles.

Mike, meanwhile, is perfectly content to watch her as Russell fidgets on her lap, taking in her bright eyes and the way she seems to glow with happiness. The guilt comes back to him full force, realizing that he had pushed her away for no reason. I'm the worst.

"Eleven," She looks up at him, and Mike takes a deep breath before continuing. "Sorry I was acting so... weird before," He hesitates on whether he should tell her, but her (definitely not pretty. okay... really pretty) eyes watch him patiently, and he sighs. "I just... I thought Russell was..." He takes a deep breath before blurting the rest out. "When you told me that you made a new friend I was really really happy for you but then you told his name was Russell and I thought he was another boy and you just looked really happy when you talked about him-"

"Mike."

"-and everyone was talking about him too and it was getting really annoying because the way they talked about him made him seem like he was just the greatest person ever-"

"Mike."

"-but there was also the fact that you wanted him to come with us on our walks and I knew he was your friend and all but I didn't want him to come-"

"Why?"

Her question makes him stop, heart hammering in his chest. He opens his mouth to answer her question, only for nothing to come out. Mike realizes that he's not sure about the answer to her question himself. Why? Why didn't he want Russell to come? Why did the idea of someone else coming with them on their walks bother him so much?

"I didn't want him to come because... b-because..." Why? "...I was... I was scared," He finally admits, and she tilts her eyes, eyes inquisitive. "I thought distancing myself from you would make it better, but it only made me feel worse when I saw how much it hurt you. I'm... really sorry for that, by the way."

"It's okay," She replies, but he shakes his head.

"It's not. I was acting stupid," He takes a deep breath before continuing. "When you said you wanted to bring him to our walks, I was upset... because I was scared that you were going to spend all of your time with Russell and forget about me,"He finishes, shutting his eyes so he didn't see her reaction. She's probably laughing at me right now. "And I didn't want that to happen because..." Because I like you.

"Mike," He opens his eyes at her murmur, and looks to see Eleven smiling at him, patient with him, as she always was. "It's okay. I understand."

He sees her move out of the corner of his eye and feels something brush his cheek. It takes him a few moments to register that she had given him a kiss, the only sign that it actually happened being the rosy tint on Eleven's cheeks that hadn't been there before.

"See!?" They both jump at Dustin's outburst, and look to see Lucas laughing and making kissing noises and Will looking at them with wide eyes. "Everyone figured everything out by talking to each other. A happy ending for everyone... well, almost," He grins toothily, adjusting his cap before making his way to the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a date with some left over pizza. Then it'll be a real happy ending for everyone." Lucas' eyes brighten at the mention of pizza, and he follows Dustin out the door.

"See you guys tomorrow," Lucas says, closing the door behind him. Will sighs and gives Mike an exasperated smile, before joining his mother in the kitchen.

It's silent for a few moments, before El nudges his shoulder gently. "Wouldn't forget about you, mouthbreather," She teases, looking down at the dog on her lap. She's trying to hide it, but she's smiling.

He sighs, relieved, his smile a reflection of her own. Definitely a mouthbreather.


so that's the end! thank you all for joining me on this short ride (and i'd also like to apologize for my horrible updating, lord i don't remember the last time i was this bad with updating a story) i'll make sure this doesn't happen with future stranger things fics. i have some ideas in mind...

edit: this WAS going to be the end but i kinda wanna do an epilogue of sorts where mike, russell and eleven all go on a walk and mike maybe confesses his feelings or something? hmm...